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Medical Detox in New Hampshire

Detoxification is the first step in any drug rehab program. While some addicts may detox before they seek treatment, the majority will require medical detox in New Hampshire to cleanse their systems of drugs or alcohol. A person must be clean to start therapy or it won’t work.

What is Detox?

Detoxing is the process of removing the addictive substance from the system and allowing the body to return to normal function. When the person is using drugs or alcohol, the chemistry in their system is altered. Medical detox may be necessary to help the chemical balance to return to normal.

The body may not produce certain hormones, which alters their brain function and other systems. Medical detox can help the body function until it starts producing those hormones naturally.

During detox, the system will try to make changes in the chemical balance and will often go to extremes. These extremes may cause severe withdrawal symptoms that are painful. The type of symptoms vary based on the drug being detoxed.

For example, an alcoholic who is detoxing may suffer from headaches, nausea and vomiting. These same symptoms are common with many addictions. However, the alcoholic may also experience depression, hallucinations and other symptoms. One of the most serious that is generally unique to alcoholism is delirium tremens, which is a serious condition that impacts the nervous system.

How Medications Help

Medications can help reduce many of these symptoms or even eliminate them altogether. They can help prevent serious medical conditions that result from withdrawal and could be life-threatening. Other medications are given to slow down the detox process to avoid shocking the system. On some occasions, it may be necessary to speed up detoxing and medications can help with that process.

Some of the most common medications used in medical detox in New Hampshire include the following:

Methadone – used for opiate addiction, especially for intravenous users; mimics the effects of heroin but isn’t as addictive, is gradually reduced until the person no longer needs it

Suboxone – used in overdose cases for heroin to remove it from the system quickly so treatment can begin

Benzodiazepine – used in alcohol addiction to help prevent hallucinations, helps the person stay calm

Some medications may be given after detox is complete to reduce the chances of relapse while the person goes through treatment. It can take months or even years for the body to return to normal and during that time, the person is at higher risk of relapse. These medications inhibit the body’s ability to process the substance or suppresses the cravings. This helps keep the person on the path to recovery.

Detox is Not Treatment

Many people think that once they have detoxed, they are able to handle everything on their own. However, detox is just the first step in the process. It’s essential for the person to continue therapy to learn how to handle addiction. They learn new skills to help deal with negative emotions and situations.

It’s important not to try detoxing alone. It’s often dangerous and can even be deadly. People who are detoxing can be at a higher risk for seizures, cardiac arrest and other medical complications. Medical detox in New Hampshire has staff to monitor you and can prevent or treat issues as they arrive.

With the right resources and tools, detoxing doesn’t have to be a frightening or unpleasant experience. Take the time to research your options and find a New Hampshire center that has the programs you need. Recovery is possible no matter what substance you are addicted to.

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